AVIATION

‘Rehabilitation of Nigerian airports’ runways to gulp N580bn’

The rehabilitation of the runways across the country’s airports will cost the federal government a whopping N580 billion.

The managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku made this known during the maiden tour of the FAAN facilities by the recently redeployed permanent secretary of the ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Ibrahim Kana.

Kuku who said most of the airports’ runways were built in the late 70s and have outlived their life span, declared: “N580 billion is required to fix runways across all airports, their life span is between 20 to 25 years but most of the airports were built in 1978.

“Many of FAAN’s facilities, including terminals and runways, are aging and in need of significant repairs and upgrades. This affects operational efficiency and safety, and necessitates substantial investment for modernization. Also, despite efforts to enhance security at airports, FAAN continues to face challenges in managing security risks, particularly with the increase in air travel and the potential for terrorist activities or other threats at key airport locations. On land Encroachment, due to lack of perimeter fence, the Authority landmass is constantly being encroached on all over the country.

“Obsolete equipment such as old fire tenders, generators, air conditioning systems conveyor lines with worn-out slats, belts and motors, can be found in many airports that have low efficiency and have high maintenance cost”..

The FAAN MD however unveiled plans to modernize infrastructures at the airports by renovating terminals, expanding runways, and upgrading navigational aids.

She used the opportunity to identify an ongoing efforts to construct a new and befitting headquarters for FAAN in 2025 as a top priority, and to among others provide a centralized and modern facility to enhance operational efficiency.

While pledging that priority will be given to improving critical facilities at major international airports and enhancing regional airport capacity to meet growing passenger and cargo demands, Kuku declared: “We need to be deliberate about it. So many haphazard jobs and abandoned projects at the airports. The runways require major rehabilitation,” she said.

In the new year, Kuku also announced plans to increase FAAN’s revenue by adopting innovative strategies to increase non-aeronautical revenue streams, such as commercial concessions, advertising, real estate development, and cargo operations.

She disclosed how N128.7 billion was remitted into the Federation account in 2024 even as she attributed the reduction in revenue to the leakages in 2024 which led to about 93% in Net inflows as compared to 2023.

She listed FAAN’s strategic priority areas in 2025 to include: Public Private Partnership to expand investment opportunities and develop underutilized assets and that to ensure compliance with global standards, that FAAN will invest in state-of-the-art security systems, including biometric screening and advanced surveillance technologies.

“Staff training on aviation security and safety procedures will be intensified to address emerging challenges and risks in the industry, FAAN will upgrade and maintain e-procurement systems to reduce technical downtimes, we plan to align FAAN’s goals with National Aviation policies and international standards.

“FAAN will integrate environmentally sustainable practices into its operations, focusing on energy efficiency, waste management, and carbon emission reductions. The Authority will collaborate with industry stakeholders to adopt green airport initiatives and promote environmental stewardship. FAAN will prioritize increasing its workforce strength to support growing operations and ensure employee welfare through improved working conditions, comprehensive training, and enhanced benefits.”

Shola Adekola